collage entitled “Essence of Thought” © 1999 — by: rob kistner
A Smidgen of Thought
maybe we need look
at all that plastic
as just so much
nautical bric-a-brac
what climate change
these rising seas
are a realty upswing
more ocean-front opportunities
it’s certainly not like the world
will just collapse
and abruptly come
to an instantaneous end
what’s all this foolish fuss
about momentary issues
but is it all folderol
are the issues momentary
are the issues solvable
we need to be more lucid
in our creative thinking
we need to tackle this
with some genuine derring-do
too many just pontificate
nag annoyingly about their opinion
yes — we need to think more green
but — we need to think more clearly
everyone need not be so damned smug
all the extreme doom-sayers
also the foolhardy naysayers
each with their slanted
and sadly sometimes manipulated
statistical analysis
or their too-often staged photo-ops
conceived to prove their point
all these conflicting facts
and images
pointing out the slipshod conduct
by the other
it’s like special interest hokey pokey
each side putting their whole self in
to try to put the other’s whole self out
while each side fist pumps furiously
to their righteous
self-serving viewpoints
not suggesting every group
slink off demurely
or lollipop their issues
to downplay urgency
and yet — we must all avoid
being snookered
rendering our important decision making
dangerously misguided
and we must avoid
being spoon-fed bitter blancmange
we must all use
a smidgen of thought
of informed common sense
avoid the operatic trumpeting
of self-serving zealots
the world needs knowledgeable
responsible individuals
making truly informed
genuinely useful decisions
about our precious environment
each of us must
research
read
and realize the problems
think
then react
effectively
respecting
and rescuing
this rare miracle
that is our earth
rendering entitled “Fragile Planet” © 2001 — by: rob kistner
folderol
bric-a-brac
instantaneous
momentary
lucid
derring-do
pontificate
green
smug
photo-op
slipshod
hokey pokey
fist pump
demure
lollipop
snooker
rendering
blancmange
smidgen
operatic
Open Link Night #246
Hi! I’m Edgrrr, rob’s shih tzu.
A most timely satirical piece on the state of the world today.. at least, I read it as satire…
I most especially liked your use of the word lollipop here.
It is satirical Kerry, bit’a tongue-in-cheek — but like all satire, it is rife with truth! Glad you liked my use for lollipop, it felt very much like a verb to me… 🙂
Also Kerry. Unfortunately your Blogger site disappears all of my comments, but this is what I wanted to say about your response to Shay’s prompt: “Oh wow, ominous and very engaging Kerry. Portends a dark future, and does so with impact. Strong write!”
Look at you, Rob, using all the words in order! And not only that, you created a meaningful, readable (and timely) piece. bravo! And thanks for letting me know you had joined the fun…sometimes I forget to check back after a couple of days, but i do welcome latebirds, since I am so often one myself!!! Anyway, as an old co-worker always said, you can’t hurry art! 😉
Wanted to tell you I enjoyed your prompt Shay, very much! 🙂
…nor love!
I think we really need to understand the problem and what should be done.
To me the refocus on plastic from climate change means that we might forget the worst problems…
That said it’s no big deal for me to use less plastic…. BTW the real problem with plastic is that so many countries don’t burn or recycle them… but put them in landfills… connecting the dots is what is so hard with everyone pushing single issues.
I agree Björn, that is why I included the rising sea levels in my piece.
“all the extreme doom-sayers
also the foolhardy naysayers”
Amazing how this silly word list produced perhaps the most clear minded commentary in our current status I’ve ever read!!
Thank you very Much Margaret…! 🙂
Love that hokey-pokey stanza. Great writing, Rob!
Thank you so much Sara! It was a fun challenge using all of Shay’s words in the exact order she had them listed… 🙂
This is so relevant to our world today. So much finger pointing, not enough action.
So damned true Linda! That little Solli blew me away!
I wish I could say I believe we aren’t doomed. I believe in the cyclicity of things. Short of a dramatic, unexpected intervention/intrusion, our course is extinction. Maybe Mother Gaia will live on, but we will not. We are a parasite that needs to end.
I sadly cannot dispute the evidence that points to human beings as a cancer on this earth Lisa – just holding out hope for a non-extinction cure. 🙂
A wonderful piece in honour of Solli Rob, there’s so much still to learn and be understood. When they’re cutting down ancient forests and blocking the salmon’s rivers to make way for ‘green energy’ projects such as hydro dams we all wonder how green this energy really is.
There is so much to be considered and coordinated Xenia. But first there must be a global recognition of the problems, then cooperation between the nations and industries that impact the issues — as well all the other pertinent factions involved. A monumental undertaking that must begin now!
Oh Rob, you took me back to school days with that spoon fed blancmange – Yuk!!! ???? Why was it always pink?
I also loved your use of lollipop! This was a great write and very timely ????
What Christine, you didn’t like that pink mystery mush? 😉
Thank you for your kind words!
Excellent. I could hear this read at a poetry slam.
Thanks Ken. I think you’re right. One could have some great fun reading this aloud! 🙂
The problem is, there is no need and no time to find more evidence, we have enough to sink us before the century is out, and those who choose not to believe now, will never believe. Ever tried to convince a believer that it’s all their head?
I agree Jane. It’s not evidence we need, it’s a coordinated undertaking by the separate factions that know the truth. Shift the dialog from individual agendas to a one solid loud relentless front to force funds to be made quickly and freely available to save this planet. Are we actually too lae – I hope not.
I appreciate your smidgen of thoughtfulness here…neither extremism nor smugness are helpful in solving the problems humanity faces. (and you used all those words, wow!)
It was like doing a little puzzle Lynn.
What a thoughtful piece and from a prompt list! Love it. So many people fall into extreme that level headed thought seems headed for extinction a well. Well written and provocative. 🙂
Thank you JP! We can always hope for mob sanity, but not much evidence to support that wish…
Just a smidgeon? Well it is a start, and some hope lies therin… I agree with Ken, fun to read aloud, and disconcerting to digest, we do need to get on with it, don’t we?
Yes we do Lona, and on several fronts. It is not just the environment we are spoiling, it’s our social erosion that is wearing away the strength and decency of this country — and other countries around the planet.
So true. How to get a consensus on anything these days though?
I agree with the comments above (and also like lollipop as a verb). 🙂
Getting agreement on anything with all the very diverse agendas, and sometimes polar opposite agendas. But if humankind doesn’t miraculously figure out how to live in balance with this natural world Merril, and at least in détente with each other — we are screwed! And I am not just rolling out rhetoric here…
I couldn’t agree more with this Rob…climate change is a complex problem and the solution has to be based on scientific fact, innovation and global political will to make the sacrifices, and spend the money,
Maybe ghe world will someday make some progress Jim!?
…have a great summer…JIM
You too Jim! 🙂